Kenny Smith, a TNT basketball analyst, divulged a rather interesting list of who he considers the best shooters in college history.
Kenny Smith Details Mount Rushmore of College Shooters
In every bar from Bangor to Bakersfield, sports debate remains alive and well in the hearts and minds of fans. Meanwhile, on TV, analysts crafted entire careers by discussing similar topics. One of those happens to be the “Mount Rushmore” debate. In essence, you take an issue and detail the four best at that sport.
In this case, TNT/CBS basketball analyst Kenny Smith gave his Mount Rushmore of college shooters. Unlike many who try to discuss the game, Smith knows what he’s discussing. Smith, a former All-American and three-time All-ACC selection at North Carolina, could definitely shoot.
When he entered the NBA, the Carolina standout excelled, helping the Houston Rockets win back-to-back championships. Smith’s career three-point percentage of .399 is a testament to his abilities.
.@TheJetOnTNT reveals his Mount Rushmore of shooters he’s seen play in college basketball 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hTpZ4Xt0LY
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) April 3, 2025
Jimmer Fredette (BYU)
You cannot tell the story of shooters without the BYU legends. During his time in Provo, Fredette made himself and his team must-watch television. With a textbook, consistent approach, Fredette scored 2,599 points in 139 games (18.7) average.
From beyond the arc, he tortured opponents, connecting on 39.4 percent. While that doesn’t seem like a high percentage, remember that he averaged 7.3 during his career. Moreover, the BYU icon attempted 9.5 three during his senior year. The Cougars advanced to the NCAA all of Fredette’s four seasons.
It wouldn’t be March without watching Jimmer Fredette highlights.pic.twitter.com/SJ4k4UNuRn
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) March 8, 2025
Stephen Curry (Davidson)
As a spindly freshman, few outside of North Carolina knew Curry. In fact, they remember his father, Dell, as a three-point specialist during his 17-year NBA career. However, that all began to change quickly.
On November 11, 2006. Curry’s reputation as one of the better shooters in college took hold. In a ten-point loss to Michigan, the Davidson point guard scored 32 points in just his second game. Afterward, Curry firmly placed the entire athletic program, not just basketball, on his shoulders.
Through his three seasons as a Wildcat, he scored 2,635 points in 104 career games (25.7 average), making 41.2 percent of his shots beyond the arc. Most impressively, he led Davidson to the 2008 Midwest Regional Final, losing 59-57 to number-one-seeded Kansas.
March 28, 2008: Stephen Curry scores 33 points to lead Davidson over Wisconsin 73-56 in the Sweet 16.
pic.twitter.com/iJ941Bikzt— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) March 29, 2025
Donald Williams (North Carolina)
Now, this selection could land Smith in hot water for bias. However, everything makes sense when you look at his career, especially the 1993 NCAA Tournament. First, no one expected a player who went three of nine from behind the arc and scored only nine points in an opening-round win against East Carolina to enjoy success.
From that game, until UNC raised the trophy, Williams etched his name into the pantheon of tournament shooters. Shooting an overall .506 from the field and .500 from three, Williams carried the Tarheels to their first title in 11 years and the last of Dean Smith’s career.
Glen Rice (Michigan)
Just before the 1989 NCAA Tournament began, Michigan head coach Bill Frieder left for Arizona State. The coach wanted to stay through the tournament, but the athletic director made him leave immediately. Stepping up to the plate was beloved assistant Steve Fisher.
Coach Fisher relied on his best player, Rice, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year, to shoulder the offensive load. Rice answered the bell, authoring the greatest NCAA tournament run in modern memory. Like the basketball axion states, ” shooters shoot.” Rice did just that, averaging 30.6 points over the six games.
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Furthermore, the standout Wolverine shot with pinpoint accuracy, lighting up opponents at an overall 57.3 percent clip and a 55.1 percent connection rate from the three-point line. Michigan defeated Seton Hall 80-79 in overtime to win the lone basketball title in school history.
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